Crane Valley Seismic Retrofit Project

A seismic retrofit project for the Crane Valley Dam at Bass Lake is underway to improve the dam’s ability to safely withstand seismic events. Until the retrofit construction is completed in 2012, Bass Lake’s water level will remain reduced and maintained at a lower level in order to reduce the risk of downstream flooding by a seismic event. Summertime recreation remains open during project construction.

This website provides the public with up to date information on the progress of the Crane Valley Seismic Retrofit Project and the Bass Lake Level Reduction. The following timeline provides a view of the current, past and future construction activities. By placing your cursor on the timeline, you can view construction activity details and pictures of the construction progress.

For Your Safety

PG&E considers your safety its top priority. For the safety of you and your family, please be careful while boating on Bass Lake near the dam construction and on Road 222 near the dam construction.

Watch for traffic when walking adjacent to roads.

Watch for construction vehicles entering or leaving the work site.

Obey all safe boating practices and watch for shallow or submerged objects.

Do not enter construction areas and heed all warning signs.

Areas Closed for Public Access During Construction

During construction, public access will be prohibited in the following areas:

On the Crane Valley Dam crest

The trailhead at Brown’s Ditch from the west

Informal parking area west of the dam

Construction Activity Impacts to Road 222

Residents and visitors to Bass Lake will experience traffic delays and partial lane closures to Road 222 throughout the construction period.
During construction, if you have questions regarding traffic delays or lane closures on Road 222, please contact Madera County Road Department at 559-675-7811 or PG&E at (800) 743-5000.

Recent News / Updates

In recent months, PG&E has developed a quarry to produce the rock materials needed for the seismic retrofit of the dam. The quarry is located west of Road 222 near Crane Valley Dam. This notice is to inform the community that blasting operations at the quarry will begin on February 2, 2011.

Beginning this week, residents of the Bass Lake area will begin to see increased activity of construction personnel and arrival of construction related equipment near the Crane Valley Dam area on PG&E property. This mobilization of personnel and equipment is in preparation for the start of the first phase of the Crane Valley Dam Retrofit Project set to begin on Tuesday, October 19, 2010.